Beatriz — 2023

A tropical depression formed from a tropical wave that crossed Central America into the eastern Pacific and was designated at 0600 UTC 29 June 2023 about 210 nautical miles southeast of Acapulco, Mexico. The system became Tropical Storm Beatriz six hours later, moved generally west-northwest to northwestward along the southern Mexican coast, rapidly intensified into a hurricane on 30 June, reached peak strength later that day, then weakened while approaching the coast and dissipated over the high terrain of southwestern Mexico by 1200 UTC 1 July. Beatriz passed close to Punta San Telmo near 0000 UTC 1 July and made its estimated landfall about 0600 UTC 1 July roughly 5 nautical miles west of Manzanillo International Airport. At the time of landfall the cyclone was assessed as a tropical storm with estimated maximum sustained winds of 55 knots (about 63 mph); the exact landfall intensity is uncertain because of limited surface observations and the storm’s rapid decay. The maximum intensity observed was 75 knots (about 86 mph) with a minimum central pressure of 992 mb, making Beatriz a Category 1 hurricane at peak around 1800 UTC 30 June when it was about 100 nautical miles southeast of Manzanillo. These peak values are based on reconnaissance aircraft measurements (SFMR and flight-level winds) and a dropsonde pressure. Storm surge and rainfall impacts were modest. The highest reported rainfall total was 199.5 mm (7.85 in) in Acapulco; somewhat lower totals occurred in the landfall region of southwestern Mexico (states affected include Colima, Michoacán, Jalisco, and Sinaloa). No specific storm-surge heights from tide gauges are reported in the record; impacts noted in media and local reports included coastal flooding in those states along with downed trees and power outages. There were no reported deaths or significant injuries attributed to Beatriz, and reported damage was minor overall; no monetary damage estimates were received. The storm produced tropical-storm-force winds in parts of southwestern Mexico, but few surface wind observations were available near the center. Forecasts and warnings performed reasonably well: the system’s genesis was well anticipated up to several days in advance, and NHC track forecasts through 48 hours were better than recent means. However, intensity forecasts initially underpredicted the rapid intensification; several guidance models called the rapid strengthening sooner than official forecasts did.